Posted by shrinking violet on September 3, 2004, at 20:06:31
In reply to Re: How do you *do* therapy?, posted by daisym on September 3, 2004, at 0:59:40
> >When I started therapy, I had to learn a whole new language...the vocabulary of emotions.
YES, that's just what it's like. My favorite phrase (and the one which makes my T cringe) is "I don't know." I know most people actually DO know, but just don't want to say. But I really don't know, most of the time. I dont know how to say it, or what I feel, or any of those things.
>> The other thing that helped me was to talk about my dreams. I could describe dreams pretty well and as we talked about them, other elements would come into the conversation. Especially trust elements.
Hm, that's a good idea. I often have very vivid dreams, sort of like mini-movies. I've even had one with my T in it, and I still remember it even though it was a few months ago now. I'll try to keep that in mind the next time I'm stuck for something to say (which is pretty much all the time, lol). I think I have next session mapped out in my mind in terms of stuff I think I can mange to talk about, so hopefully I can save the dream thing for another time.>> Something will shift and let you begin to open up. Perhaps you could make this a goal and you could together brain storm what might work for you. I know people who can't talk without keeping their hands busy. Others can't make eye contact.
I can't look at her either, and I fidget constantly (which seems to make her nervous). We've pretty much tried everything. Next session I'm going to bring in some artwork and hope that focusing on something tangible will allow me to explain some of this stuff without having to solely focus on myself.
Thank you for your response.
poster:shrinking violet
thread:385854
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040828/msgs/386178.html